94 Points - Wine Enthusiast5 Stars / "Highest Recommendation" - F. Paul Pacult's Spirit JournalDouble Gold Medal, Best in Class - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008Since 2001, the Emile Pernot Distillery has created and distilled several absinthes that are considered among the best artisanal absinthes in the world. Emile Pernot "Vieux Pontarlier" Absinthe Francais Superieure is carefully crafted in small batches using alambic stills that were specifically designed to make absinthe. Vieux Pontarlier Absinthe evolved from the research and experience of professional Absintheur Peter Schaf, using historic protocols, distilling techniques and equipment from the 19th Century.This spirit is distilled using only locally grown Pontarlier wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), which is considered the finest in the world. Additionally, Spanish green anise seed, Provençal fennel and a variety of aromatic herbs and spices round out the recipe. Faithful to the original formulations, there is no sweetening added of any kind - its refreshing taste is obtained entirely from the combination of plants and the distiller’s skill.In the glass, Vieux Pontarlier is a fine, medium peridot green color. The louche forms gradually, and is lightly milky with opalescent reflections. The aromas evolve after pouring, starting with bright anise and developing heady alpine herb notes with savory, lightly mentholated hints of wormwood. The initial taste is intense and spicily piquant, with round, herbal flavors cradling the wormwood and a long, refreshing, cooling finish of anise and fennel seed.Product of FranceAlcohol by Volume: 65%

Like another reviewer, I also had a god-awful experience with OriginalAbsinthe.com (La Boheme, Ltd). Never received my products and it took me over 5 months to get a refund. After that nightmare of an ordeal, I was hesitant to even try to buy absinthe anywhere else. However, I can say gladly that DrinkUpNY was a pleasure to deal with. They answered all my emails right away and I received my order within 2 weeks. I bought this a gift for my significant other and he absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for such a pleasant and easy transaction.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Dark and decodent licorice

December 22, 2010

Reviewer:
Michael McCullough
from Oakley, CA United States

If you love pure dark licorice candies, then you will love this. This is the desert of absinthe for those who love licorice as I do. Wonderful.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Very Impressive.

December 11, 2010

Reviewer:
Anonymous Person

It's got the wormwood bite well proportioned, & the balance of the other herbs is.......just dreamy.If you like Obsello or Mansinthe you are sure to enjoy this.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Impressive

February 4, 2010

Reviewer:
Chris Henderson
from Saratoga Springs, NY United States

This reminded me of Kubler in that it has that earthy note you get from really good black licorice, the kind that's almost green on the inside when you bite into it. I suspect the "overripe banana" comes courtesy of the brandy base. Grain spirits are more crisp, but I find them boring by comparison. Try this next to Kubler and you'll see what I mean. Kubler is a fne product, but this delivers on promise Kubler never knew it had.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Vieux Pontarlier

May 9, 2009

Reviewer:
robert keller
from philadelphia, PA United States

This is the best absinthe I have ever had. I have had many from drink up NY and this tops them all I only hope it will be back in stock soon.